How would one learn to identify swarasthanas when listening to carnatic music? Are varisai exercises enough to gain this critical skill?

https://beautifulnote.com/blog/2019/08/07/learning-to-identify-swarasthanas.html

Challenge 1: Sing a sarali. Stop when you reach Dha and sing Ri.

Challenge 2: Sing a sarali in Mayamalavagowla. Immediately, sing the same line in Kalyani.

Did you face even a momentary difficulty? Then you must read this article: https://beautifulnote.com/blog/2019/08/07/learning-to-identify-swarasthanas.html

#notation #varnam

Alilaimel kan valarndha (ஆலிலைமேல் கண்வளர்ந்த)

Ragam: Mohanam
Composer: Tiger Varadhachari
Sahityam: M. Arunachalam Pillai

Tamizh GeethaVarnangal by Annamalai University, 1953

#carnatic #theory #books

Here are introductory texts on carnatic music theory in English. These will be useful if you are a student preparing for carnatic music theory exam.

They also serve as an easy-to-follow introduction to carnatic music theory for those who are generally interested in the system.

Download PDFs from: https://beautifulnote.com/theory

Prince Rama Varma points out a shortcoming in swara gnanam that’s common even among advanced carnatic musicians. He also explains why it is common in our traditional raga-by-raga learning process.

https://beautifulnote.com/blog/2018/12/06/prince-rama-varma-on-swaragnanam.html

#notation #varnam

* Composition: Alilaimel Kan Valarndha (Varnam)
* Ragam: Mohanam
* Thalam: Adi
* Composer: Tiger K Varadhachari
* Sahityam: M Arunachalam Pillai
* Notation Language: English

https://beautifulnote.com/blog/2019/10/21/notation-alilaimel-mohanam.html

Can carnatic vocal students practice using keyboard?

Keyboard has western notes that are closest equivalent of carnatic swarasthanams. However, these western notes are not exactly same as carnatic swarasthanams. The frequency ratios are different.

For example, for Ga3 the equivalent is Major 3rd (that is, E if taken C as Sa). But there is a 14 cent difference between the frequencies of Ga3 and Major 3rd. The difference may not be discernable for untrained ears, but it is significant.

This is demonstrated with the help of audio recordings in this post: https://beautifulnote.com/blog/2016/11/02/ga3.html

This is one of the reasons why All India Radio (AIR) banned the use of Harmonium in their classical music broadcasts for so many years. Harmonium, like keyboard, is a western instrument with same frequencies.

In short, this means if you use keyboard (or harmonium) as a support for carnatic vocal practice, you will be trained with incorrect frequencies, and it will skew your sense of swarasthanas.

If you haven't heard about Shruti Carnatic Tuner, head to: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kuyil.shruti

Purandara Dasa's Birthplace: Archaeology Dept. to start research in Shivamogga village

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/purandara-dasas-birthplace-archaeology-dept-to-start-research-in-village-in-shivamogga-dist/article31673889.ece

How would one learn to identify swarasthanas when listening to carnatic music? Are varisai exercises enough to gain this critical skill?

Read more: https://beautifulnote.com/blog/2019/08/07/learning-to-identify-swarasthanas.html

There are pretty good carnatic apps that help with your practice. This answer in Quora points out the best of the best with short descriptions about them. See how many of them you're yet to discover.

https://qr.ae/pNyzIX

On Carnatic Swaram Ri, first part of series on Carnatic Swarams. Touches on basic theoretical aspects, and also details how to practice to master the swarams.
https://beautifulnote.com/blog/2020/06/05/swaram-ri.html

Can you do these challenges?

Challenge 1
Sing a sarali. Stop when you reach Dha and sing Ri.

Challenge 2
Sing a sarali in Mayamalavagowla. Immediately, sing the same line in Kalyani.

Did you face even a momentary difficulty? Then you must try Sadhakam. It is an android app that helps you to overcome such gaps in your learning. Designed and developed exclusively for carnatic music: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kuyil.sadhakam

Do Sadhakam app exercises regularly. You'll find your become stronger in your foundations and continue to be motivated in learning carnatic music.

Second Part of the Carnatic Swaram series. This time Ga is being explained here.

We hope this series will help to understand the basics of carnatic music. If you find these useful, please do share it to your friends and family who might be interested. Thank you.

https://beautifulnote.com/blog/2020/07/07/swaram-ga.html

Event: 'Mridangam - An Artistic Analysis' by Mannargudi A Easwaran (Today i.e. 23 July at 5PM) https://www.facebook.com/sangeetnatak/events

source: The Hindu

9th edition of The Hindu & Saregama M.S. Subbulakshmi Award is back - The Hindu
https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/9th-edition-of-the-hindu-saregama-ms-subbulakshmi-award-is-back/article37777593.ece

To participate in this talent search, fill this form: https://forms.thehindu.co.in/mss/